Travelling can be difficult at the best of times: the packing, the organization, which suitcase to take…but add a set of golf clubs and a bucket-list-standard golf vacation into the mix and already you can sense your blood pressure rising…
You could rent the clubs when you get there, but is it really worth the risk – traveling all that way for a set of clubs that, well, simply aren’t your own…?
Enter the golf travel bag: your new best friend.
Traveling with golf clubs doesn’t have to be as difficult as you may think, so long as you’ve got the right bag for the job. A golf bag fit for traveling needs to be spacious, secure, and sturdy, with pockets for both valuables and larger items such as shoes.
You’ll want something durable enough to protect your clubs on the flight or in the car, that’s easy to pull or carry, and of course, it needs to look the part, too.
There’s a range of choice out there and making a decision can be difficult: hard bag or soft bag, price point, size, brand….But that’s where we come in.
We’re on hand to find you the best golf bags on the web, complete with a handy buyer’s guide so you can spend less time worrying about packing, and more time looking forward to your trip.
In a hurry? You can find our top pick for travel golf bags below.
Top 5 Best Golf Bags for Travel
OUR TOP PICK
CaddyDaddy Golf Constrictor 2 Travel Cover
EDITORS CHOICE
AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Golf Club Travel Bag
BEST VALUE
Himal Soft-Sided Golf Travel Bag
OUR TOP PICK
CaddyDaddy Golf Constrictor 2 Travel Cover
This highly-rated bag from CaddyDaddy has been one of the best-selling golf travel bags on Amazon for numerous years. The Constrictor 2 fits around your cart or bag and accommodates up to 10” cart bags.
It’s constructed out of high-quality 1800 denier fabric for ultimate durability and has a heavily-padded top to protect your club heads when traveling. Two large side pockets provide extra storage for items such as golf balls and gloves, while the heavy-duty lockable zippers open and close with ease and don’t stick.
Easy-rolling inline skate wheels roll smoothly and effortlessly, while the external and internal cinch straps keep your clubs secure and give an overall sleek, neat appearance to the bag. This bag is collapsable so you can easily store it in the hotel closet upon arrival, while the molded luggage tag and business card window is a great touch and make traveling as convenient as possible.
Pros
- Durable, high-quality 1800 denier fabric
- Two large side pockets
- Heavy-duty, lockable zippers
- Easy-rolling inline skate wheels to make pulling the case effortless
- Easily stored thanks to collapsibility
- Molded luggage tag and business card window
- 1-year full warranty (including damage from airlines)
Cons
- The bottom of this bag can wear down easily from contact with the ground
EDITORS CHOICE
AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Golf Club Travel Bag
This soft-sided golf travel bag from the Amazon Basics range is made of durable nylon fabric and has reinforced stress points so it easily stands up on its own when containing your set of clubs. The compression straps help keep your clubs in place, while a heavily padded top section keeps your club heads protected and cushioned from any bumps along the road.
Easily pull the bag through airports or hotels thanks to the smooth-rolling, inline skate-style wheels and riveted handles which make transporting your clubs a breeze regardless of the surface, and also ensure convenient lifting in and out of a trunk.
Another great feature of this bag is the multiple zippered compartments, that are super convenient for storing extra gear such as golf balls, while the integrated ID slot with a transparent window on the outside of the bag allows for at-a-glance contact info.
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Durable, nylon fabric with reinforced stress points
- Compression straps keep clubs in place
- Extra padding to protect club heads
- Inline skate-style wheels for smooth, easy wheeling
- Riveted, comfortable handles
- ID slot
- Zip compartments for smaller items
Cons
- Not the most expensive-looking design – but you get what you pay for
BEST VALUE
Himal Soft-Sided Golf Travel Bag
This soft-sided golf bag is made of premium 600D heavy-duty polyester and is robust enough to carry all your golfing essentials and keep them safe in transit. It features soft padding for extra protection for your club heads and extra storage pockets to provide space for all of your valuables.
There are a few elements of this bag that stand out: the smooth zipper withstands regular use, while the quality wheels won’t stick and will roll smoothly through the airport. The velcro carrying handles add versatility to the bag, allowing you to easily lift and carry it. There’s also an interior strap to keep your clubs in place securely, so they won’t rattle around while you’re on the road.
This bag is a great balance between affordability and quality. While it’s not the fanciest looking design on the market, you get a lot of bang for your buck.
Pros
- Made of heavy-duty polyester
- Soft padding for added protection
- Smooth-rolling wheels and zippers
- Interior strap to keep clubs in place
- Affordable price point
- Smaller pockets for valuables
Cons
- Some users found that their bag ripped after several uses
RUNNER UP
SKB Cases ATA Deluxe Hard Case
If you think a hard case is more your style, this one from SKB is a great option and is guaranteed to keep your precious golf clubs safe and secure. This hard case acts as a shell and is contoured to fit your cart bag, carry bag, and drivers up to 48 inches long. This provides an extra layer of protection while traveling, and you don’t have to worry about the fabric straining or potentially ripping.
Security is a big part of this case: it comes with a TSA Locking System for ease while flying and patent-pending industrial strength latches for superior valence closure and overall latch security.
SKB’s exclusive Perfect Match valance bending system provides a tight, secure fit to prevent dirt, dust, and moisture from getting inside the case, and thanks to the hard plastic material of the case it’s far easier to clean – and looks much smarter – than a fabric bag or case.
The ATA Deluxe hard case is molded from ultra-high, molecular weight polyethylene and while the price means it’s a bit of an investment, it’ll certainly see you through many golfing trips, as it comes with SKB’s unparalleled million-mile guarantee and $1,500 club coverage.
Pros
- Extra secure as it fits around your cart bag, providing an extra layer of protection
- Fits drivers up to 48 inches long
- Easy to clean
- A secure locking system allows for extra protection when traveling and stops dirt penetrating the case
- Wheels make pulling the case a breeze
Cons
- It’s pretty expensive
RUNNER UP
CaddyDaddy Golf- Enforcer Hard Top Travel Cover
Another case from CaddyDaddy: the golf enforcer provides ultimate protection for your clubs while traveling thanks to the Crush Resistant ABS hardtop. 1800D All-Weather fabric provides extra durability and protection and means you can rest assured that your clubs stay safe even in heavy rain or snow.
Wrap-around lockable zippers mean you can add an extra layer of security if you’re traveling by flight, while the side pockets are great for providing easy access to essentials. Despite the heavy-duty appearance of this case, it weighs in at only 9lbs, and accommodates most golf bags up to 10”.
Other features of this case include internal compression straps to keep your clubs secure, a soft travel cover for fitting inside the hard outer cover, and inline skate wheels for super-easy rolling. If you think you can’t store a hard case as easily as a soft one, think again – this case actually rolls up into the hardtop so it’s smaller and easier to store.
As with all of CaddyDaddy’s travel bags, this one comes with 1 Year Bag Replacement Protection from Airline Damage.
Pros
- Crush resistant ABS hardtop
- 1800D All-weather fabric
- Surprisingly lightweight
- Wrap around lockable zippers and lockable side pockets
- Soft travel cover for extra protection
- 1 Year Bag Replacement Protection
- The bag folds up into the hardtop for easy storage
Cons
- This bag is slightly harder to maneuver than others on the market
Best Golf Bags for Travel for Beginners Buying Guide
Type of Bag
The two main travel bag types are hard and soft, and there is a myriad of benefits – and drawbacks – to both of these.
Hard Cases
Hard cases are usually more durable than soft ones and also offer that extra level of protection because they act as a rigid outer shell that is usually crush-resistant and keeps out dirt and dust.
However, hard cases usually come with a higher price tag due to the materials they’re made out of, and they can sometimes be heavier and harder to maneuver. Generally, hard cases are more weather-resistant and easier to clean, but they’re also harder to store and can rarely be collapsed.
Soft Bags
Soft bags are the most common type of travel bags for golfers and look more like your average cart bag but more constricted to offer better security and protection for your clubs. These are usually made of strong nylon or high denier material for added strength and durability.
That said, soft cases are more vulnerable to tears, particularly if they’re cheap, as often they can’t cope with a lot of weight – so be wary if you’re trying to pack a lot of things into the bag. That said, there are a lot of perks to soft bags. They are usually easy to pull and carry thanks to their handles and wheels – and their softer nature makes them easier to maneuver.
They’re also well-suited to golfing vacations because you can easily store them in your hotel closet without them taking up a vast amount of space. Soft bags are usually cheaper and are more readily available, but it’s safe to say that they don’t quite offer the same level of protection as a hard case or bag.
Padding
Probably the most important aspect when it comes to a golf travel bag. The whole point of the travel bag is to protect your clubs and keep them secure in transit, a bag with no extra padding won’t do much good at all.
Pay attention to the top of the bag in particular, as this is where you’ll want extra padding for your club heads.
Size
Always measure your golf cart before purchasing a bag. The last thing you want is to find that your staff bag or trolley bag doesn’t fit. It’s also worth considering the size of any extra pockets or compartments that come with the bag – are they big enough to fit your valuables or accessories in?
Think about everything you want to pack into the bag, as well as just your clubs. Are you expecting it to hold clothes and other items such as shoes? If so, look for a bag that is spacious and extra-large, with plenty of additional storage.
Weight
It’s important to consider whether you want a particularly lightweight bag or not.
For example, softer bags are usually lighter which can make them easier to carry and maneuver, while hard bags add more protection but are also heftier in weight.
Wheels
For any golfing travel bag, you’re going to want it to have wheels. Nobody wants to lug a heavy cart of golf clubs around a hotel or course.
Wheels make pulling your bag a lot easier – just ensure that they’re good quality and smooth-rolling.
More: Can you take golf balls in your carry on?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best golf travel bag?
The best golf travel bag is a pretty subjective question. After all, this depends largely on what you hope to gain from the bag. For example, do you want it to be lightweight, extra durable, ultra-protective?
The best bag for you will depend on which features you prioritize, but hopefully, our above guide and top 5 will make your decision slightly easier.
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